7 Tips for Choosing the Right Sunglasses

Find the best shades for your eyes

Fit the bridge. Meaning, the bridge of your nose. "If glasses don’t fit the bridge of your nose, they won’t ever fit right no matter how many adjustments are made," says Gibb. Your glasses should fit the bridge comfortably; make sure they don’t pinch or slip off the bridge of your nose.

"If glasses don’t fit the bridge of your nose, they won’t ever fit right no matter how many adjustments are made."

Think about peripheral light. That’s the light that sneaks in at the side of your sunglasses. Gibb says some of her customers look for glasses with wide side-pieces that can block out light or debris "although that can block your side vision when you’re driving," she says. For outdoor activities, wrap-around sunglasses are an effective and fashionable option. Another reason for blocking peripheral light: "Ladies, we need to block those wrinkles and protect the delicate skin around our eyes," Gibb says.

What about photochromic lenses? These are lenses that are clear indoors and darken when you go outside. They have advantages and disadvantages, says Duffner. The advantage is you don’t need separate pairs of regular glasses and prescription sunglasses. The disadvantage is that they can be expensive and they scratch easily, he says, "and the effect gradually wears out after a couple of years." Also, be aware that some kinds of photochromic lenses don't darken if you're behind a car or truck windshield that blocks UV rays.

Sport a stylish hat. The best protection from prolonged exposure to the sun is not only sunglasses, but also a brimmed hat that shades your face. The hat-and-glasses duo is particularly important if you’re spending hours at the beach, at amusement parks, on hikes, boating or anywhere where you'll be in the sun for a long time.